Sport

Tributes paid to loyal Curzon Ashton FC fan and beloved volunteer Barry Thickett

'RIP Barry. Fly high.'

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th January 2025

Tributes are being paid to a much-loved local football fan and loyal volunteer at Curzon Ashton Football Club, Barry Thickett, who sadly died last week at the age of 82.

Known to the majority around the Tameside Stadium and more throughout Greater Manchester’s non-league pyramid, Thickett was a long-serving supporter and assisted the club for many years.

Unfortunately, following a short period of illness which remains undisclosed, the die-hard fan passed away while most were wrapped up in the action from the FA Cup third-round ties this weekend.

Confirming the heartbreaking news with their fan base on Monday, 13 January, Curzon Ashton shared a single black-and-white image of Barry, which was met with an outpouring of heartfelt condolences.

As you can see, countless followers of ‘The Nash’ hopped on social media to pay their respects to a fan favourite figure who has been remembered, above all else, “a wonderful man” – overwhelmingly so.

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Fellow fan Dr Andy Hershon commented, “I knew him via the Friday walking football. He always came to watch. Lovely bloke who loved to chat about the game. Will be sadly missed. RIP Barry”.

Multiple fans mentioned loving their “chats” with the local legend, who used to work as an area manager at the old Wilson’s Brewery in Newton Heath.

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Perhaps most notably, Barry’s loved ones expressed their thanks to the club and all those posting touching tributes; his daughter Sara replied, “Thank you for such a lovely tribute. Dad would have been touched”, and son Gaz added: “Thank you for the lovely message, means a lot to the family.”

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Player-manager Craig Mahon went on to write “Barry was a true gentleman and respected by all the team. Always there with his words of wisdom at half-time and full-time.

He will be sorely missed by everyone at Curzon Ashton FC. RIP Baz thanks for all you [have] done.”

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Curzon Ashton are yet to announce any official plans for a Barry Thickett memorial service via the club, but he will no doubt receive an emotional observance when the National League North outfit travels to nearby Stalybridge on Tuesday, 14 Jan.

Their next home game takes place this weekend (Saturday) and we’re sure he’ll be given a proper send-off by all those who knew and loved him up on the terraces. Our thoughts go out to Barry’s family, friends and everyone at the club. Rest in peace.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Curzon Ashton FC (via Instagram)

Sport

Tyson Fury has announced his ‘retirement’ from boxing (again) along with a cryptic message

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tyson Fury retiring from boxing for third time

Manchester boxer Tyson Fury has seemingly confirmed he is retiring from boxing once again for the third time?… We’re not even sure at this point.

The Wythenshawe-born juggernaut of the heavyweight division lost consecutive fights for the first time in his career following the defeat in a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk back in December 2024 and, for all intents and purposes, it looks like they may have been his final professional fight.

Having first argued that the judges favoured Usyk in the first fight due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; Fury once again believed the decision was unfair in the second bout but, either way, he claims that the Riyadh Season showdown was his last appearance in the ring.

Taking to social media on Monday, 13 January, the 36-year-old said he wanted to keep the announcement “short and sweet”, proceeding to announce his retirement from boxing to nearly seven million followers on Instagram along with a somewhat cryptic message for them to take away with them.

‘Dick Turpin wore a mask’

If all is to be believed at this point, he seemed pretty positive and nonchalant about the whole thing. He proceeded to state that he’s “loved every single minute” of his career, adding “God bless, everybody and I’ll see you on the other side.”

There wasn’t too much to read into with his caption either, which simply read: “Thanks, it’s been a blast. Thanks to everyone who helped out along the way! Happy New Year. Jesus is king now and forever”.

However, it was the penultimate line with which he signed off that has raised an eyebrow among a lot of those reacting to the news online, as he referenced infamous highwayman and thief, Dick Turpin, who famously wore a mask to conceal his crimes during the 18th century. Interesting indeed.

People online have been speculating plenty around exactly what he might have meant with this mysterious remark but many that it could just be another nod towards the belief that he was ‘robbed’ of a victory in Fury vs Usyk 2, having claimed the latter was given an “early Christmas gift.”

Regardless, plenty are expecting it won’t be long before Fury comes back out of retirement to lace his gloves back the very second the right offer comes in for him to finally fight Anthony Joshua, even if both of them aren’t quite the dominant name they once were when the face-off was first floated.

How many times has Tyson Fury retired?

Most crucially, the general consensus is that Tyson Fury isn’t really retiring because this, of course, isn’t the first time he’s claimed he was calling it a day.

‘The Gypsy King’ famously ‘retired’ for the first first time over a decade ago after the plans for his fight against David Haye fell apart for the second time back in 2013, making the announcement with nothing more than a few dismissive words on the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Then, in 2017, we did the dance all over again after a string of teases and ‘pranks’ towards the end of 2016 which culminated in him writing in a since-deleted post: “Been very blessed in my life & career achieve the utmost in boxing, was a epic journey along the way.

“Thanks to all the fans that supported & believed in me along the way. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. THE END.” But it obviously wasn’t the end…

He was back in the ring by 2018 and Fury went on to declare that his 2022 win over Dillian Whyte was his farewell fight before going on to fight Derek Chisora just six months later.

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You can see how people have trouble believing that it’s for real, right?

Whether or not he is being serious this time, only time will tell but one thing is for sure is that fans would still love to see him and AJ come up against each other if a fight contract were to materialise after all this time – especially as they both have a point to prove given their recent respective records.

As for Fury, one clip that came back to haunt him in the wake of the rematch against Usyk will remain a lasting memory for many of those who have followed his career from the start to now:

An old clip of Tyson Fury talking about Oleksandr Usyk has come back to haunt him – twice
We’re pretty confident Tyson Fury isn’t retiring the same way we knew he wouldn’t win after watching this.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Tyson Fury (screenshot via Instagram)/Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Pep Guardiola confirms Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker has officially asked to leave Manchester City after seven years at the club.

Walker was left out of the squad for City’s FA Cup tie against fellow Greater Manchester outfit, Salford City, which ended up being an 8-0 demolition featuring a number of youngsters.

Naturally, with the January transfer window open and the England international playing increasingly less of a key role in Guardiola’s current team, his absence was one of the first questions put to Pep in his post-match press conference.

He didn’t dance around the subject either, stating simply: “It isn’t for me to say because [it should come from him] but two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play aboard [for] the end of his career”.

Going on to reiterate that Walker actually put in a transfer request a couple of seasons ago, which the former Spurs man himself has been open about previously despite the offer(s) ultimately falling short of satisfaction for both parties, Pep intimated that the wheels are pretty much already in motion.

His pace, power and positional sense might be on a gradual decline – it happens to virtually every player eventually – but his experience and exposure to winning every club trophy there is to win is invaluable and will likely see plenty of suitors who’ll look to capitalise on this, as well as his seniority and leadership.

Guardiola was full of nothing but admiration for the footballing veteran in his response either, reiterating that the club told him “how important he was” when the German giants first approached him, adding that “we cannot understand the success [City] have had these years without Kyle. It’s impossible.”

Nevertheless, with the intention of leaving now firmly in his mind, the Catalan coach insisted that he prefers to “play other players whose mind is here [with the club]” – hence why Walker was one of those omitted from the matchday squad.

Walker, now 34 and entering what many call the ‘twilight years’ of his career, will no doubt receive plenty of interest from around Europe and beyond. The Sheffield-born full-back made it known he was close to joining Bayern Munich after the Treble but whether or not they’d go back in for him is still unclear.

Kyle Walker reveals he was ‘close’ to joining Bayern Munich as he prepares to sign new Manchester City contract
Walker has been gearing up to leave Man City for a while.

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The Catalan coach went on to explain that his go-to right-sided defender has already contacted Man City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain (who is also set to leave at the end of the current campaign) about leaving and fans can only assume he’ll be exiting before this month.

Bayern have already recruited two former players from that talented Tottenham team under Mauricio Pochettino, with Harry Kane and Eric Dier now well accustomed to the Bundesliga, it remains to be seen whether reuniting all three is in their minds.

Alternatively, other clubs and countries thought to be keen on Kyle Walker include AC Milan – who are also said to be courting Marcus Rashford – and several Saudi sides. The MLS is also thought to be a likely destination for the seasoned pro.

No matter where he goes, with six Premier League titles, a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup; two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and a couple of Community Shields to his name, he’ll leave the Etihad knowing he’s achieved everything there is to achieve.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sky Sports/Pantkiewicz (via Flickr)/Steffen Prößdorf (via WikiCommons)

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